Does Your Popping Jaw Signal TMJ Disorder?

Do you have a popping or crackling sensation in your jaw? In addition to being annoying, this could indicate a serious oral health issue that may need treatment! TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, could be a source of major discomfort! In today’s blog, your Maple Grove, MN, dentist looks at how we offer relief from sore and popping jaw joints with TMJ treatment.

The Causes of TMD

What causes a disorder like TMD to develop? For many, this could be due to major stress on your bite balance, which strains the jaw to create TMJ symptoms. For example, missing teeth, misalignment, injury to the face or jaw, or concerns with the growth of the bite or eruption of the teeth. The arrival of wisdom teeth could be a factor, as could untreated teeth grinding (bruxism). As part of your treatment, we will need to examine your smile and assess the wear and eruption of your teeth to understand the factors behind your TMD, so we can choose the most appropriate treatment options.

The Common Symptoms

As we mentioned in the opening, when you have a persistent popping or crackling sensation in your bite, this could indicate TMJ disorder. Other possible symptoms could include headaches, migraines, jaw and facial pain, and aches in the neck and shoulder. When you experience common symptoms like these, our team can provide relief with a custom oral appliance or other treatment options, helping you avoid pain and issues opening and closing your mouth.

Treatment with an Oral Appliance

For some, we could recommend orthodontic treatment to correct misalignment, a prosthetic to address gaps caused by tooth loss, so we could use dental bonding or crowns to improve bite balance and chewing function. But in most cases, we offer relief with an oral appliance. The device is custom-fitted for your smile based on the detailed digital images and measurements we take of your bite. The completed device will look like a mouthguard and be worn as you sleep. Once in place, this will help reposition your bite to ease pressure and strain on your bite. If you also grind your teeth the oral appliance puts a soft barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent further damage. The appliance itself is simple to use and easy to clean and maintain.

If you have any questions about how we treat TMJ disorder and offer relief with an oral appliance, or if you have a pooping jaw that needs attention, then contact our team today to learn more.

Elm Creek Dental Offers Treatment for TMD

Our team wants to provide treatment to ease the stress on your smile. To find out more about improving your bite balance, call Elm Creek Dental in Maple Grove, MN, today at 763-416-0606.